In my general experience with reading reviews for this CD, it seems most people either love it or they hate it. So, I got it anyway...hmm...I must say I'm half and half on the whole thing. Really, it is original, but there comes a point in your life when you finally ask yourself, is original really synonymous with good? In this case, not really. I really like Producto's word syntax, but so often it seems like he's talking more than he is rapping. Hmm...also, his futuristic beats are just that, ahead of his time. A little too ahead. I hate to knock someone else's style, but all too often I'm listening and everything feels forced. I mean, that just might be him, but to me, it just feels as though he's trying too hard sometimes. Other than that, I kinda like this CD, it's kinda growing on me, but still, a hard swallow. The standout track is really "Delorean", mostly because Aesop Rock's involved, and that will always make even the worst track better than anything anyone else does.

The title of the album is quite fitting. El-P, founder of Definitive Jux Records, is one of the most uncompromising producers ever. Melodic and polished are two terms you would NOT use to describe his music. Some phrases that come to mind would be complex, buzzing, lo-fi, unsettling, and progressive. I somewhat neglect throwing a prog-rap label on it. Although the production is very unique and somewhat futuristic, he has still captured the essence of an old-school b-boy.

I was drawn to buy this album after hearing other albums El-P has produced, such as Cannibal Ox and Mr. Lif. Those albums all have complex production too. As soon as you get into one of El-P's produced albums, the learning curve for listening to his other works is much easier. I would venture to say that the production on this album is fairly accessible when comparing it to Cannibal Ox, or Aesop Rock's "Bazooka Tooth". "Bazooka Tooth" lacked focus. The lyrics and production both move insanely fast. The focal point of the lyrical content was slightly muddled. This is not the case on "Fantastic Damage". Sometimes the music is on the forefront, and sometimes the lyrical content steps forward; but the two rarely overpower each other, making it a little easier to pick things up at first listen.

El-P's lyrical flow has definitely improved with this release. His style is raw, and hardcore. Some people refer to this as art-rap, or prog-rap. That comparison/label would be more fitting when addressing a release off of Anticon's record label; such as Pedestrian, Sole or Dose-One. No, El-P is very different from those guys. His flows come from his soul, and feel very personal, which opens up a new side of El-P for the listener. When I listen to Dose-One, I feel bogged down with lyrics that seem to go nowhere, or carry little to no meaning in his actual life. In comparison, El-P is like an open book; which I like.

This album was produced using 1 Ensoniq EPS 16+ sampling keyboard, 2 Technics 1200 turntables, 1 Vestax 07 mixer, 1 Korg Chaoss pad, 2 Shure needles, 1 Oberheim OB12, 1 Magnus electric organ, and Pro Tools software. All the songs on here were written and produced by El-P. They were recorded and mixed with help from Nasa. And to my shocking delight, one of my favorite DJs, DJ Abilities, operates all the turntables. Appearances are made by other Def Jux members, including Aesop Rock, Camu Tao, Vast Aire, C Rayz Walz, Mr. Lif, and Rob Sonic. Other appearances are made by Ill Bill, Cage, and Steven Segal. Some of the standout tracks would include "Deep Space 9mm," "Tuned Mass Damper," "Delorean" featuring Aesop Rock, "The Nang, The Front, The Bush and The Sh*t," "Accidents Don't Happen," "Stepfather Factory," and my personal favorite "Dr. Hellno and the Praying Mantus".

Since I live in Minneapolis, my favorite underground hip-hop label is Rhymesayers. But Definitive Jux is ranking higher in my book with every release. If anything, Rhymesayers and Def Jux possess the absolute best in underground hip-hop today. The influence that they carry as a whole, is absolutely phenomenal. I can't stress the point enough; if you like hip-hop, you should be supporting artists on these labels. They are doing things with hip-hop that have never been touched on before. Hip-hop was at it's best in 1988. But a new generation is finally emerging after all these years of poorly made, materialistic hip-hop; and they're ready to completely revolutionize the exploited genre once again.

One of my all-time favorite albums, El-P has done it again. I can understand how people can rate this album badly, it is because they don't understand it well enough. Listen to the album a few more times. At first, I thought people were crazy for giving it 5 stars. But i listened to it more and within a couple of days of thinking it was average, I loved it. Now, it's one of my favorite albums (this and Company Flow's Funcrusher Plus are my 2 favorites). The creativity is just perfect, every track is a banger, everything is completely original. If only there were more albums like this, boy hip-hop would be taking over the world. There are not enough real rappers out there. El-P is one of my favorite rappers and this is a true masterpiece of his. Just buy it if you haven't already. Favorite tracks: Deep Space 9mm, Dead Disnee, Delorean, Accidents Don't Happen, Stepfather Factory and Fantastic Damage.

A VERY nice relief compared to the standard clear channel crap we're exposed to, regardless of choice, during our day to day lives.
Think ANALOG.

FantasticDamage was so street and creative that my arm just grabbed my paint brush and started painting like a madman on this blank canvas while listening. The album is an experience, and it rocks so hard that its like heavy metal of the future.
El-P's (and Aesop's)chunky lyrical constructions have refreshed the enjoyment of writing my own songs, while exploring wild new ways of nonlinear delivery.
I am so proud of white MCs like El-P and Aesop Rock, and Eligh and the Grouch. These men are ARTISTS and pioneers of not only independent music, but ANY music. Thier music truly inspires me to go further than I ever have artistically. B-boying, painting, rapping, and playing instruments, constructing beats.
A MUST HAVE ALBUM!!!